My Visit with one of the World's Greatest Men and the Woman Who Made Him that Way

The trip continues. Tuesday night I was able to post my last blog entry. Eldon gave me access to his wireless router. Anyway I got to bed after midnight and woke up around 5:30 pm. My body clock said it was time to wake up.

It was so wonderful to spend the evening with Eldon. He was busy getting his school work done. I was glad he did what he needed to do and not get distracted by my being there. Through the evening three of his six roommates came in and out, Richard, Curtis, and Patrick. They seemed like a good bunch of guys. Eldon says he is the closest with Curtis. From their interaction one with another, I can see why that is true.

I got up showered and got ready. Curtis asked if I wanted oatmeal for breakfast. He also made some for Eldon. I was impressed with his thoughtfulness.

As an editorial note, Josiah has taught me a new way to look at the world through photography. The following photo is an attempt to replicate his style. But more importantly it says all that needs to be said in regards to how Eldon and his roommates have decorated their apartment. It is totally utilitarian.
I dropped Eldon off at the Clyde building and headed off to Salt Lake. I called Melvin, Susan’s dad, to see if he was free.

Along the way I passed by the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I stopped to take some pictures. I think the open house is later this month. The workers are doing the landscape. I don’t know why I am attracted to temples. I always have. Before I received my endowments, it was one of my greatest aspirations. Now that I have been a worker in the Washington, DC temple, much seems routine. Never the less, I always feel closer to the Lord when I am near the temple.
Melvin and I went to breakfast at IHOP. We talked about my upcoming assignment at work. He was thrilled at the work I will be doing. I said he wanted to come along with me.

We then headed over to see Tanya. They are all well. John is getting ready to get married to Paige. They have found a basement apartment for next nothing just three doors up from Eric and Tanya’s house. Sam showed me his drawings. He is ready very good. I think he will do well as a graphic artist.

On the way home, we drove downtown to see the progress on the City Creek Center renovation project. Once home, we spent some time just talking.

As I was getting into the rental car, I noticed that the tires were worn down to the wear bars. The rental company, asked me to bring it in and for an exchange. For the inconvenience, they upgraded my car to a Corolla.

On the way the exchange the car, I called Uncle John and Aunt Arlene to see how they were doing. Aunt Arlene invited be over to see them. I was hoping they would invite me. I felt as though I shouldn't ask to come unless invited in case they didn’t feel ready for me to visit.

We had a great time talking telling how the kids were doing, to talk about memories of Mom.

I headed off to Logan about 4:30. I was afraid I would be caught in evening traffic but it moved well all the way to Logan.

I got to Logan after 6:00 pm. Talked to Aunt Reta and Uncle Rex for a bit and Uncle Rex and I headed over the Golden Corral to have dinner.

After we got back, I talked to Aunt Reta and Uncle Rex until nearly midnight. I was rather tired for not sleeping the entire night the night before.

One thing we talked about is my mother. After talking to Aunt Gerta, Uncle John and Aunt Arlene, and Uncle Rex and Aunt Reta, I noticed a common theme when referring to Mom's personality. The all said Mom was sweet, kind, and loving. I think it is true. She was avery kind person.

Yesterday I got up and had breakfast with Uncle Rex. He asked me what I wanted. He offered eggs but I told him I would have what he had. He asked me if I was sure and I said yes. So he pulled out a big bowl about the size to serve a salad. He put Grape Nuts in the bottom, next a scoop of whey protein, followed by Kashi Go Lean, cut up dried apricots, prunes, raisins, and Cheerios. Served with milk. Uncle Rex is in incredible health. He rides his stationary bike in the evening before he goes to bed, he exercises in the morning before he starts his day which includes 100 push ups and up to ten chin ups. He says he has slowed down a bit because he does his push ups with his knees on the floor rather than the standard push up. It hurts his back too much.

After breakfast, Uncle Rex asked me if I needed a haircut. Well, I always go too long between haircuts. In fact, the last person who gave me a haircut saw how long my hair was getting and offered to cut it again. During the haircut this person asked if they were the last person to cut my hair. I said yes and the this person thought so. Anyway back to the story. Uncle Rex took me to a sister in his ward named Dana. Her husband has a tumor in his head that is growing. He has not been able to work and needs someone with him continuously. Dana cuts hair to make ends meet as her husband can no longer work. Uncle Rex has made it a point to have the brethren in the ward go to her for haircuts. Uncle Rex had his hair cut first. I don't think he really needed his hair cut but he did anyways. I on the other hand was due. Uncle Rex gave the sister many times what the haircut was worth. She was so appreciative. This was a wonderful expression of Christian service to a sister in the ward.

We then went down to the Foundation. A group of farmers were in and Uncle Rex needed to make a presentation. After the presentation, we all went to lunch at the Peppermill, a restaurant located in the refurbished Penney’s building downtown.

At 83, Uncle Rex is still heavily involved in scientific research. A couple of projects they are working on is to solve the high cost of health care and green house gases. Uncle Rex’s foundation has developed a test procedure for multiple diseases at once. Current technology is to screen for one disease in a micro well (or cell). Uncle Rex is proposing to put multiple receptor sites in an array of wells and test for multiple diseases. Currently one test cost $15 dollars to run. Using Uncle Rex’s method, it would cost 71 cents per test. Under his proposal, people would get screened for diseases twice a years. By catching diseases sooner, the treatments are easier and more cost effective to treat. This would alleviate much suffering.

The Foundation has a fuel additive that will improve fuel efficiency and therefore will decrease green house gases.

They are also working decreasing ammonium nitrate particulate emissions in the air. In Cache Valley, there is a good amount of NOx emissions in the air. Combine that with the ammonia generated from farmer spreading manure in the fields and ammonium nitrate is formed. Uncle Rex’s proposal is to digest the manure in covered lagoons that capture methane as a fuel source the farmer can us. The nitrogen compounds are then harvested in the lagoon sludge.

Uncle Rex’s aim is solve today’s problems with technology. His motivation is to improve the world and relieve suffering. He is not motivated by profit.

We had a conversation about waking up early and working on problems. He says he gets his best insights at that time of day. He attributes that the enabling power of the atonement. I believe receives revelation on how to proceed with his work. The problems are great and the obstacles are immense. I believe he is going to continue doing great work in the next ten to fifteen years. This is why I have voted him one of the greatest men who have lived.

So what about the woman who made him one of the greatest men who have lived? She has enabled him to do his work. She has raised their family. Being an extremely bright woman, she has counseled him on his difficult problems. I find it more than a coincidence the her middle name is Brite.

I am grateful for her influence in my life. I went to live with Uncle Rex and Aunt Reta as I started down paths that would lead me to a wretched life. She set the course that has enabled me to choose a better way. Much of the success I have achieved with my family I can attribute to her. Our family will be blessed for three and four generations because of what she has done for me.

This morning I got up, read my scriptures and had breakfast. Uncle Rex didn't ask me if I wanted the same cerial mix he prepared yesterday. He just made it up. I spent the rest of the morning writing my blog entry. Aunt Reta came downstairs and later on Cheri, Lisa, and Lori came over and we spoke.

After Uncle Rex came home, We talked more and I returned to Salt Lake and had dinner with Richard and Barbara at Goodwoods. We went to Richard's and Barbara's house looked at old pictures, had cake and ice cream and went to bed.

Richard and I stayed up a bit and talked about what should go into a history and I am going to write about Dad.